A predawn walk through River North turned into a nightmare for a 29-year-old man early Saturday when two armed suspects forced him into a dark SUV and robbed him at gunpoint, according to Chicago police.
The abduction-style robbery unfolded around 4:45 a.m. in the 200-block of West Ontario Street. Police say the suspects later let the victim out on the 300 block of West Illinois Street. Area Three detectives are investigating, and the man was not reported to have suffered physical injuries.
What the police say
According to ABC7 Chicago, two suspects got out of a dark-colored SUV, approached the man while he was outside, and guided him into the vehicle. Once he was inside, one of the suspects pulled a gun and demanded his belongings.
The suspects later dropped the man off on West Illinois Street before driving off. As of late Sunday, no arrests had been announced, the station reported.
A pattern in River North
The incident fits into a broader pattern of late-night and early-morning robberies near River North’s nightlife strip, where police have warned that offenders sometimes befriend or approach patrons as bars and clubs close, then rob them, according to NBC Chicago.
Recent coverage of smash-and-grab ATM attempts and other overnight crimes in the neighborhood has underscored detectives’ calls for residents and businesses to hang on to surveillance footage that could help track offenders.
How to help investigators
Anyone with video or information that could help the case is asked to contact Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip via CPDTIP.com, according to prior reporting from CBS Chicago.
Investigators are asking anyone who has relevant surveillance footage to keep it unedited and share it directly with detectives to help identify the suspects.
